iPadOS 19 replace: Launch date, compatibility, new iPad options

It’s been six years since Apple determined to model the iPad working system iPadOS to distinguish it from iOS on the iPhone. Since then, Apple has added a handful of iPad-exclusive options, however general, it’s nonetheless loads like iOS.

That might change dramatically in iPadOS 19, on account of arrive at WWDC and ship in September. We’ll have an opportunity to see what Apple has in thoughts on the keynote on June 9. Within the meantime, right here’s what we learn about iPadOS 19.

iPadOS 19: Launch date

• Full model: September 15 (predicted)

The official launch date has not been introduced, however Apple presently has an annual cycle with its working techniques that occurs within the September timeframe. Based mostly on latest historical past, iPadOS 19 could possibly be launched to the general public on September 15 or 22. There have been years when iPadOS has arrived later alongside macOS in October.

iPadOS 19: Compatibility

iPadOS 19: Developer and public betas

Developer beta: from June 9 (anticipated)

Public beta: from July 14 (estimated)

Apple makes betas of its working techniques out there earlier than the official launch in September. A developer beta is launched first following the WWDC keynote, so builders can instantly start testing it with their merchandise. The WWDC25 keynote can be held on June 9, so the developer beta needs to be out there later that day after the keynote presentation.

Apple then releases a public beta for everybody else, which often arrives in July, a couple of month after the primary developer beta. Then, every time Apple points beta updates, the up to date public beta follows a day or two after the up to date developer beta.

If you’re interested by utilizing the beta, you may be part of Apple’s beta program. The beta program entails operating software program that can have some stability points, and you might be anticipated to supply Apple with particulars of any points by way of the Apple Suggestions app.

For assist putting in iPadOS beta in your iPad see our information to the iOS 19 beta (the strategy may be very comparable).

iPadOS 19: Identify could possibly be iPadOS 26

Lately it’s been simple to foretell what the subsequent model of iPadOS can be known as. iPadOS takes the identical quantity because the model of iOS, so for 2025 it was broadly anticipated that the title can be iPadOS 19. Nevertheless, that will not be the case.

Apple is rumored to be aligning all of the names of its working system updates to mirror the 12 months. So fairly than having iOS 19, iPadOS 19 and macOS 16 (which is so complicated). Will probably be iPadOS 26, iOS 26 and macOS 26.

This makes loads of sense, so we hope that Apple does this as it will likely be loads much less complicated for everybody!

iPadOS 19: New options

As a result of iPadOS 19 by no means wants to depart Apple Park till it ships, rumors of its new options are more durable to come back than iPad {hardware}. However leaks nonetheless happen, and we’ll preserve observe of them right here. Right here’s what we’ve heard thus far:

Main design overhaul

Apple is engaged on a design overhaul of iPadOS (in addition to iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS). Reviews state that the replace will take its cues from visionOS, and the Apple Invitations and Sports activities apps may supply some hints at what’s in retailer. It’s additionally doable that Apple adjustments the icon form for the primary time to match the visionOS’s round icons.

Mac-like consumer expertise

One thrilling characteristic rumored to be on the way in which is a brand new window administration system for multitasking on the iPad. Apple launched Stage Supervisor with iPadOS 16.1, nevertheless it hasn’t lived as much as its potential. An April 2025 report from Mark Gurman claims that Apple is engaged on Stage Supervisor 2, which can incorporate the usage of a menu bar that prompts when the iPad is related to a keyboard. Gurman added that iPadOS 19 will make the iPad “extra like a Mac,” however he didn’t supply specifics.

A separate report from November 2024 claims that customers will have the ability to pin information to the iPadOS 19 Dwelling display screen, just like the way in which information may be saved to the desktop in macOS.

Foundry

Low Energy Mode

iPadOS 18 presently has Low Energy Mode, however Majin Bu final November claimed that the system can be “reinvented” in iPadOS 19. That might imply it’s going to lean on Apple Intelligence to handle and optimize battery life.

Apple Intelligence and Siri

Apple has hit some critical hurdles with its Apple Intelligence improvement, inflicting options to be delayed. Options that have been imagined to be delivered in iPadOS 18.4 might seem someday in 2026 in an iPadOS 19 replace.

Apple had touted a significant replace to Siri, the place it’s higher at pure conversations with the consumer. Beforehand anticipated in iPadOS 19, it’s now extra more likely to come as a later replace or in iPadOS 20. Nevertheless, there’ll nearly actually be new Apple Intelligence options as a part of iPadOS 19, particularly since all new iPads (besides the Eleventh-gen mannequin) can now run it.

New Video games app

There could also be a devoted gaming app coming with iPadOS 19 (or 26), in line with a report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. The App can be out there for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, it’s claimed.

The brand new app will faucet into the App Retailer’s video games part and Apple Arcade, in line with Gurman. It is going to additionally supply editorial content material about new video games and centralize all the pieces presently present in Sport Middle.

New Dwelling app

Apple will reportedly make a significant push into the sensible residence over the subsequent 12 months, and that might begin with a brand new Dwelling app. Quite a few reviews declare that Apple is creating a brand new “HomePad” and a brand new HomePod with a show that incorporates a new “homeOS,” and Apple just lately pushed all customers to the brand new Dwelling structure first launched in iOS 16. To associate with these new merchandise, may current a complete new Dwelling app in iPadOS 19.